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aloha
April 2009 
Making Hawai‘i and the World a Better Place
Posted on Dec 3rd, 2008
by 
Alika
Alika
I learned this morning of some fantastic news. The Governor of Hawai‘i, Linda Lingle, announced that the state of Hawai‘i will be partnering with Better Place to bring car battery exchange stations to the Hawaiian Islands.
This news excited me for many reasons. Aside from the obvious ecological and economical benefits Hawai‘i will experience from this, it serves as a reminder of something that Hawaiians have long been known for – sustainability.
When Captain Cook and his expedition first arrived in the Hawaiian islands, they were amazed at the agricultural system that existed. The Hawaiians had created a system of cultivation, agriculture and sustainability that could not be exceeded by any other country in the world.
This system was set up instinctively. The concept of “private property” was unknown in Hawai‘i, but they had a complex system of land division known as ahupua‘a. The ahupua‘a started at the top of the mountain peak and ran all the way into the ocean. Each pie-shaped segment contained everything a village would need to survive – land for cultivation, fish, salt, fresh water, etc. Resource rich ahupua‘a were smaller than those with less resources.
Ecological sustainability was enforced through the ancient kapu (taboo) system. The kapu prevented destroying forests that provided forest products or watershed. It put restrictions on fishing certain species of fish throughout the year. The farmers of Hawai‘i did not till the land and practiced soilbuilding. A cycling of crops and plants breeding allowed the Hawaiians to develop diverse crops resistant to disease. What the Hawaiian people knew and practiced was that by constantly working within the boundaries of their natural environment, they were able to live a sustainable existence measured by abundance and leisure time.
Which brings me back to my excitement from today’s news. Those of us who have lived or even rented a car in Hawai‘i know that fuel costs in the islands are highest in the U.S. Much of this cost is attributed to the incredible expense of getting fuel to the islands. What Better Place and Hawai‘i are doing is taking our natural renewable resources – wind, wave, solar and geothermal – and using them as the blueprint to putting Hawai‘i back on the path to energy sustainability.
It is my hope that all of us can look to the ways of the Hawaiians to serve as a guide and constant reminder of the need to be in harmony with our surroundings.
Ke aloha wale, ka mahalo wale,
Alika
This news excited me for many reasons. Aside from the obvious ecological and economical benefits Hawai‘i will experience from this, it serves as a reminder of something that Hawaiians have long been known for – sustainability.
When Captain Cook and his expedition first arrived in the Hawaiian islands, they were amazed at the agricultural system that existed. The Hawaiians had created a system of cultivation, agriculture and sustainability that could not be exceeded by any other country in the world.
This system was set up instinctively. The concept of “private property” was unknown in Hawai‘i, but they had a complex system of land division known as ahupua‘a. The ahupua‘a started at the top of the mountain peak and ran all the way into the ocean. Each pie-shaped segment contained everything a village would need to survive – land for cultivation, fish, salt, fresh water, etc. Resource rich ahupua‘a were smaller than those with less resources.
Ecological sustainability was enforced through the ancient kapu (taboo) system. The kapu prevented destroying forests that provided forest products or watershed. It put restrictions on fishing certain species of fish throughout the year. The farmers of Hawai‘i did not till the land and practiced soilbuilding. A cycling of crops and plants breeding allowed the Hawaiians to develop diverse crops resistant to disease. What the Hawaiian people knew and practiced was that by constantly working within the boundaries of their natural environment, they were able to live a sustainable existence measured by abundance and leisure time.
Which brings me back to my excitement from today’s news. Those of us who have lived or even rented a car in Hawai‘i know that fuel costs in the islands are highest in the U.S. Much of this cost is attributed to the incredible expense of getting fuel to the islands. What Better Place and Hawai‘i are doing is taking our natural renewable resources – wind, wave, solar and geothermal – and using them as the blueprint to putting Hawai‘i back on the path to energy sustainability.
It is my hope that all of us can look to the ways of the Hawaiians to serve as a guide and constant reminder of the need to be in harmony with our surroundings.
Ke aloha wale, ka mahalo wale,
Alika
Access: Public
Yes, sustainable living is quite important. My family is about to relocate to Vancouver (awaiting our visas) and we would really like to be more thoughtful about our environment in our lifestyle decisions. In my past career experiences, I marvel at how native people in older times knew so much how to care for their environment by being sensitive and responsive to it, not ignoring it. We just had a Nepali friend who lives in Honolulu visiting and he is quite happy to live there. Perhaps, we would visit him one day after we get settled in Vancouver.
Aloha, Alika!
How very exciting for you! I LOVE Vancouver. I get up there often and it was actually the site of my very first Aloha Life workshop. It is one of my favorite cities in the world. The people are incredibly warm and friendly and the city is one of the most sustainable anywhere. Best of luck with your move!